Best internal HD for MacPro?

[ncc1701d]

Are these the ones you mean? http://www.wdc.com/en/products/Products.asp?DriveID=732

I also see the same thing as a green.

I can't see much of a difference between the blacks and the RE4 on paper. I have no idea about price where I live at the moment.

 

[ncc1701d]

Well, after reading a few reviews. It would seem it's down to either the black or Green. The RE4 seems to be for server use. (Not that I think it would make any difference if I was to put 4 of them in my Pro as Raid 0).

As no one I know would have anything like this to listen to one of these it will probably come down to a punt on the blacks...

 

[Cynicalone]

I usually find the enterprise drives are more.

For example, I can usually locate a Black 1TB for ~$100USD, while the RE3 1TB can be had for ~$160USD (last checked about a week ago). Free shipping can sweeten the deal a bit, as it all adds up. 😉 Especially when buying mulitple drives from multiple e-tailers to reduce getting all the drives from the same batch. 😀

I do that too, trying to avoid getting drives from the same batch. I think I'm overly paranoid. 😱

 

[Transporteur]

I usually find the enterprise drives are more.

For example, I can usually locate a Black 1TB for ~$100USD, while the RE3 1TB can be had for ~$160USD (last checked about a week ago).

That's right for WD drives <2TB.
Here in Europe the 2TB Black is indeed more expensive than the RE4.
Hence I would definitely by the RE. You get a better drive for less money.
Not really a tough choise. 😉

 

[nanofrog]

Great to see you here nanofrog! 🙂

😀 I lurk as much as I post. 😛

Well, after reading a few reviews. It would seem it's down to either the black or Green. The RE4 seems to be for server use. (Not that I think it would make any difference if I was to put 4 of them in my Pro as Raid 0).

Both the RE4 and RE4-GP are server drives (RE = RAID Edition, btw).

The RE4 is 7200 RPM, while the Green Power versions are supposedly variable (though there's contention over the reality of variable vs. fixed at a lower RPM ~5400 - 5900 range).

I've not used either yet, so I've no idea on noise, beyond the spec (34dBA for the 7200 rmp model's worst case <seek mode 0>, and 29 dBA for the GP version).

The 1TB RE3 model runs at 33 dBA (spec, not personally measured - and same for the 1TB Blacks too), but it's not terribly loud. But I've also installed mine in a full tower case, and used rubber isolation (mainly for vibration noise due to the quantity). The loudest I'm accustomed to are SAS drives (15k rpm, no wonder 😉). A bunch of those can sound like a bee hive on meth. 😱 😛

I do that too, trying to avoid getting drives from the same batch. I think I'm overly paranoid. 😱

I'm the same way. It can be difficult to balance out the financial aspect though, especially as the quantity increases. Shipping can add fast, and eat a large chunk of the system budget by doing it. That's why I love free shipping. 😀 But there's not that many vendors that offer it with a competively priced drive price as well. Darn it anyway. 😛

That's right for WD drives <2TB.
Here in Europe the 2TB Black is indeed more expensive than the RE4.
Hence I would definitely by the RE. You get a better drive for less money.
Not really a tough choise. 😉

I thought you were meaning in general where you're located. It's still a bit odd though, but sweet to be in your position ATM. 😀

Give it time though, and the 2TB Blacks will likely drop due to higher quantities available. 🙄 😉

 

[ncc1701d]

That's right for WD drives <2TB.
Here in Europe the 2TB Black is indeed more expensive than the RE4.
Hence I would definitely by the RE. You get a better drive for less money.
Not really a tough choise. 😉

I haven't checked the price difference where I live, but if they're the same drive it is definitely weird they are different prices. Actually, you're saying the RE4 is better but cheaper 😱

Both the RE4 and RE4-GP are server drives (RE = RAID Edition, btw).

The RE4 is 7200 RPM, while the Green Power versions are supposedly variable (though there's contention over the reality of variable vs. fixed at a lower RPM ~5400 - 5900 range).

I've not used either yet, so I've no idea on noise, beyond the spec (34dBA for the 7200 rmp model's worst case <seek mode 0>, and 29 dBA for the GP version).

Well, if the noise isn't too bad, it's now a choice between the 2tB Blacks and the 2TB RE4...😎

 

[nanofrog]

Well, if the noise isn't too bad, it's now a choice between the 2tB Blacks and the 2TB RE4...😎

As you're using a RAID card (Apple's pile of junk), you'd be far better off with the enterprise version (RE4), due to the recovery timing differences (TLER values differ between consumer and enterprise drives). Because of this, the consumer versions can be unstable (random drop outs, even when the drives are fine).

 

[ncc1701d]

As you're using a RAID card (Apple's pile of junk), you'd be far better off with the enterprise version (RE4), due to the recovery timing differences (TLER values differ between consumer and enterprise drives). Because of this, the consumer versions can be unstable (random drop outs, even when the drives are fine).

Well, once again I have no idea what you're talking about - but I will never doubt the nanofrog - you are the man! 🙂 I'll go for the RE4's (yes, I got the apple raid card that came with the early 2009 Mac Pro. I don't know why it's not considered any good, but that's probably a whole other thread 😉 🙂)

 

[Eric2]

The full capacity for a MacPro4,1 is at least 14 TB. You need a RAID card with 5 ports though.

8 TB in the regular HDD bays. 4 TB in the second optical bay using ODD SATA "B" and one RAID card port. And 2 TB in 4x 2,5" HDDs in a Transintl 4DX bay connected to the RAID card ports.

I presume all these 2TB HD also work in the MacPro3,1 (early 2008) macs as well?

Thanks

 

[nanofrog]

I'll go for the RE4's (yes, I got the apple raid card that came with the early 2009 Mac Pro. I don't know why it's not considered any good, but that's probably a whole other thread 😉 🙂)

Apple's card is:

1. Slow
2. Only works with ONE OS
3. Problematic (battery issues)
4. Very expensive for a 4 port SAS card (should be around $400 for what you get)

For the same $$$ (or a bit less, depending on the exact model and where you get it from), you'd be able to get an 8 port SAS card, with a faster processor, and is capable of running mulitple OS's <drivers for Windows, Linux, and OS X in some cases>, as well as Boot capability in EFI or BIOS, though the ROM can only contain one of them.

I presume all these 2TB HD also work in the MacPro3,1 (early 2008) macs as well?

Yes. 🙂

 

[Spacedust]

Best internal HDD for Mac Pro is Samsung HD502HJ. I got one and it's superb !

http://www.harddrivebenchmark.net/hdd_lookup.php?cpu=SAMSUNG+HD502HJ

 

[ncc1701d]

Apple's card is:

1. Slow
2. Only works with ONE OS
3. Problematic (battery issues)
4. Very expensive for a 4 port SAS card (should be around $400 for what you get)

For the same $$$ (or a bit less, depending on the exact model and where you get it from), you'd be able to get an 8 port SAS card, with a faster processor, and is capable of running mulitple OS's <drivers for Windows, Linux, and OS X in some cases>, as well as Boot capability in EFI or BIOS, though the ROM can only contain one of them.


Yes. 🙂

Funny you should say that about the battery. My Mac Pro is currently in its 72 hour recharge cycle after having the raid battery replaced due to charging 'irregularities'. I think half the cost of what apple charge is for the warranty...

Best internal HDD for Mac Pro is Samsung HD502HJ. I got one and it's superb !

I don't buy Samsung any more. I got one of their fridges and it's hopeless 😉. Plus, they admitted no contest to price fixing of DRAM (http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/press_releases/2005/212002.htm)

 

[nanofrog]

Funny you should say that about the battery. My Mac Pro is currently in its 72 hour recharge cycle after having the raid battery replaced due to charging 'irregularities'. I think half the cost of what apple charge is for the warranty...

No, it's just greed, as they're the only source for it, and the only product Apple will support in any fashion.

You can do much better for the same budget, but Apple won't help you if there's a problem.

I don't buy Samsung any more. I got one of their fridges and it's hopeless 😉. Plus, they admitted no contest to price fixing of DRAM (http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/press_releases/2005/212002.htm)

they weren't the only ones guilty of it though. Infineon and Hynix were also nailed under that investigation, though the fines weren't as large.

There's been other nasty occurences over the years, such as Hitachi's theft of IBM's drive technology before they ended up buying it. Things like price fixing (or artificial production cuts to drive down supply), outright IP theft, filing of "Junk" Patents (patent filed, but no product ever existed) to block or worse, sue real developers,... do happen. 🙄 🙁

Not all of it is illegal, but it's rather ugly. Buying startups to kill a technology is a good example of this. The "Junk" Patent method is as well.

 

[ncc1701d]

Not all of it is illegal, but it's rather ugly. Buying startups to kill a technology is a good example of this. The "Junk" Patent method is as well.

Yes, I try to let my purchases reflect these things if I can, btu it's not always easy to keep track of it all 🙁

I've just discovered the thread about upgrading the CPU... to the 3.33GHz oh boy...! you're going to get sick of me nf!! 😱 🙂

 

[nanofrog]

Yes, I try to let my purchases reflect these things if I can, btu it's not always easy to keep track of it all 🙁

If you did, you'd have to quit buying electronics all together. 😱 😀 😛

I've just discovered the thread about upgrading the CPU... to the 3.33GHz oh boy...! you're going to get sick of me nf!! 😱 🙂

I've not done that myself, so gugucom and Tutor (a couple of others too) would be able to give you more specific advice than I can, especially about how to handle the fan connectors on the coolers and tightening proceedures they used.

 

[alphaod]

All this talk of 2TB drives, I want to swap out all my drives with these. The 300GB drives I'm on are getting a little constrained.

Though I want those new 600GB 15k.7 Cheetahs 😀

 

[nanofrog]

Though I want those new 600GB 15k.7 Cheetahs 😀

I'm wondering what Toshiba will drop next in the MBA line, as they're current line <300GB max atm>, is better for workstation use (formerly Fujitsu).

 

[ncc1701d]

I'm wondering what Toshiba will drop next in the MBA line, as they're current line <300GB max atm>, is better for workstation use (formerly Fujitsu).

I guess it's only a matter of time before a 2.5 or even 3TB drive comes out. I'm only thinking of price drops as I need to get all 4 the same for my Raid 0 set up. 4x2TB RE4's aren't going to be cheap 😱 I've filled the first 4 TB's quickly and easily, but another 4 would last me long a long time. Is there a typical update process for WD HDD's?

 

[nanofrog]

I guess it's only a matter of time before a 2.5 or even 3TB drive comes out. I'm only thinking of price drops as I need to get all 4 the same for my Raid 0 set up. 4x2TB RE4's aren't going to be cheap 😱 I've filled the first 4 TB's quickly and easily, but another 4 would last me long a long time. Is there a typical update process for WD HDD's?

Most usually manage to get thier new drives out in about a year (consumer units). Given the testing involved, the enterprise models could take longer.

So you'll typically see the Black version ship prior to the REx version, even as they're developed simultaneously.

 

[ncc1701d]

Most usually manage to get thier new drives out in about a year (consumer units). Given the testing involved, the enterprise models could take longer.

So you'll typically see the Black version ship prior to the REx version, even as they're developed simultaneously.

Just did some searching on this, looks like the 2TB Greens came out Jan 2009 followed by the Blacks around June 2009, and the RE4 just this September so I don't think there will be anything bigger in the blacks for at least another 6 months and the RE4's probably a year. Also in my research were some people not too happy with the GP's with WD releasing firmware updates. (http://blog.insanegenius.com/2009/09/western-digital-re4-gp-2tb-drive.html & http://blog.fastmail.fm/2009/11/06/western-digital-re4-gp-2tb-drive-problems-and-solutions/)

Do apple automatically update firmware through the raid controller for drives?

 

[Velin]

My Mac Pro uses WD's 10,000 rpm Velociraptor. I use the third-party mounting bracket for easy insertion into the drive bay. It may be only 300 Gig, but the performance is second-to-none. Besides, "storage" is what the three other drive bays are for. All my apps and my bootcamp partition are on the Velociraptor.

 

[whyrichard]

My Mac Pro uses WD's 10,000 rpm Velociraptor. I use the third-party mounting bracket for easy insertion into the drive bay. It may be only 300 Gig, but the performance is second-to-none. Besides, "storage" is what the three other drive bays are for. All my apps and my bootcamp partition are on the Velociraptor.

I have 2x10000 rpm velocoraptors in my 4 year old pc, and i'm thinking of sourcing them towards my new mac pro to run bootcamp off of... do you think they would work if they are 4 years old (are they sata? i dunno)... also, is it not a good idea to put in such an old hd?

specifically they are 74GB 10000RPM SATA 150MB/s WD Raptor 8MB Cache <9ms...

and come to think of it, can i add this video card as well: nVidia® Quadro FX 1400 128MB PCIe 2x DVI Dual Head

hmmmmmmmm

thanks,

r.

 

[gugucom]

The Nvidia card would need EFI firmware to run under OS X.

The residual life time of the raptors may be short if they have been in continuous use.

 

[nanofrog]

Do apple automatically update firmware through the raid controller for drives?

No, none of the cards do. They're not made by drive manufacturers, and it has to be done manually. No software either, as the firmware revisions to any particular drive (especially enterprise) aren't publicly available.

...they're 74GB 10000RPM SATA 150MB/s WD Raptor 8MB Cache <9ms...

Yes you can use them, as they are SATA drives. But they're not the fastest any longer though, and have had a long life at 4yrs. I'd think of them as a stop-gap/short term solution until you get something else.

and come to think of it, can i add this video card as well: nVidia® Quadro FX 1400 128MB PCIe 2x DVI Dual Head.

It would only work under Windows on a Mac Pro, as there's no EFI to flash it with for OS X.

 

[whyrichard]

I have 2x10000 rpm velocoraptors in my 4 year old pc, specifically they are 74GB 10000RPM SATA 150MB/s WD Raptor 8MB Cache <9ms...

r.

...so I dropped them in, they work just fine (they recieved low usage throughout the years).

First I copied a folder 1gb folder to the stock 640 7200rpm hd in my 09 mac pro, timed it, and did the same to one of the velociraptors mentioned above. the time was similar. (I set them up in software raid and the time dropped in half.)

The similar time of a 1gb folder copying to the new 7200rpm 640gb hd and the 4 year old 10000rpm velociraptor... is that expected? in 4 years the speed difference closes between these two drives? Or is there a better way to test the speed of a hd?

thanks,

r.